After the Senate passed a comprehensive immigration reform bill, House Speaker John Boehner is now at bat. Whether to swing is an incredibly tough call for him. Politically, the issue pits the long-term interests of the Republican Party against the short-term interests of its House members.

House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill last month. He says the Senate immigration bill is a nonstarter in the House. Op-ed contributor John J. Pitney Jr. writes: 'There is a chance that House Republicans might accept' comprehensive reform if there is 'a strong “trigger” provision that would make legalization dependent on measurable progress' with enforcement.